Cooler Harness Carrying System with Storage Panels and Pockets

ABSTRACT

A harness system for carrying storage panels and pocket panels on a cooler includes a flexible harness extending around the outer surfaces of a cooler. The flexible harness has a first longitudinal surface of one part of a hook and loop fastener, and the cooler has a plurality of bracket to removably mount the flexible harness to the cooler walls. The first longitudinal surface of the flexible harness faces away from the cooler walls. Pocket panels for storing items have a second portion of a hook and loop fastener, or a rim, are removably attached to the flexible harness, or the brackets mounted to the walls of the cooler.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/907,385, filed Sep. 27, 2019, to the extent allowed by law.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to storage devices, and particularly to a device with pockets to be supported by a cooler, which pockets are provided to hold items such as bottles, utensil, condiments and the like on the outside of the cooler.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Portable coolers are a convenience typically used to keep drinks and food preserved and chilled for later consumption. Typical coolers are portable and utilize ice, dry ice, chemical coolness retaining devices, or an electronic means of cooling for users traveling by vehicle or on foot on outings to picnics and parks, the beach, fishing, boating, camping, tailgating, and even the home and backyards.

Coolers are available in many different sizes and are designed to fit a limited number of drink and food articles. When users take coolers on outings, they typically need to bring numerous bags, totes, duffels and backpacks in order to have all plates, utensils, condiments and other accessories needed for a dining event.

Because of the size of typical coolers, users can not store larger bottles such as wine, water and 1-2 liter soft drink bottles in the cooler.

Users have limited hands available to carry all the coolers, bags and packs from the vehicle to the picnic location. Many times, users require several additional trips back and forth from the vehicle to picnic point which is time consuming and an inconvenience.

When picnickers, campers, tailgaters and the like arrive at the final picnic destination there is usually limited space for setting out all of the condiments plates, cups, bottles and utensils. necessary for a picnic. Even a picnic table has limited space, and a beach or camping location becomes challenging.

Users with limited space to set up a picnic usually have to bring along an extra table, which is not always convenient. Tables are heavy and do not provide reliable support for all the condiments and picnic accessories.

It is not always convenient to bring along extra tables, and on beaches and boats there is a tendency for things to tip over or fall off the table.

Users use the top of the cooler as a table but have the inconvenience of having to remove the items of the top of the cooler every time they need to remove the lid of the cooler to access contents within the cooler.

Users frequently bring along dollies, wagons and carts to transport all the picnic items from a vehicle to the picnic site.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present cooler harness provides a solution for users by providing a means of carrying all of the condiments, plates, accessories, and larger bottles in pockets specially designed to attach to the exterior walls of a cooler. Carrying picnic items on the outside of the cooler will double or triple the carrying space and make additional bags and packs unnecessary.

Items can even be loaded into the cooler harness at home or in the vehicle making extra trips between to vehicle and picnic location because the cooler harness provides a means for carrying all the picnic needs, totes, bags and packs are not necessary. Dollies, wagons and carts are not necessary as all of the picnic items are carried along with the cooler, on the outer sides of the cooler.

When the cooler harness is used in boating and tailgating situations, tips and drops are virtually eliminated making it easy to provide instant and immediate access to all of the picnic items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective partially exploded view showing the utilization of brackets with integrated hooks that attach directly to the side wall of a cooler by means of adhesives and/or screws;

FIG. 2 is a perspective showing of the utilization of a harness being held by the brackets of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective showing the utilization of corner gripping pads to keep the harness in position around the cooler by gripping all four corner walls of the cooler;

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view depicting an alternative to the use of brackets, providing molding bracket hooks directly into the side wall of the cooler;

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of receptacles molded into the cooler wall that are designed for attaching brackets to the outer side wall and corners of the cooler;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of utilizing thin and durable hanging hooks made of metals and/or plastics or combinations thereof, configured to attach to the upper edge of the cooler where the cooler lid closes;

FIGS. 7A, B are perspective views of the front and rear sides of a panel pocket used to hold a user's condiments, bottles and accessories;

FIG. 8 is a perspective partial exploded view of the method of attaching the panel pocket to the cooler harness and side wall of the cooler;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative method of attaching the panel pocket of FIG. 7 of FIG. 7 directly to the cooler sidewall bracket, without the use of a harness and by means of hooks, fabric loops, buttons zippers and/or snaps;

FIG. 10 is a perspective partially exploded view of a custom panel pocket that can hold a light such as a lantern or flashlight;

FIG. 11 is a perspective partially exploded view of a panel pocket of FIG. 7 that is both acoustic and transparent, allowing sound to pass freely and is constructed from a water proof and acoustically transparent membrane fabric;

FIG. 12 depicts a pair of Insulated panel pockets;

FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of an independent free standing harness system embodiment that does not physically attach to the cooler;

FIG. 14 is a depiction of a user carrying the independent harness system of FIG. 13 embodiment with a cooler inserted into the harness system;

FIG. 15 is a front view of a complete assembly of panel pockets of FIG. 7 removably mounted on a cooler;

FIG. 16 is a depiction of a complete assembly of the panel pockets removably attached to the harness on a cooler with the panel pockets filled.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed cooler harness provides a system for the easy attachment and removal of pockets and panels specially designed to carry such items as bottles, utensils, condiments, lanterns and flashlights, acoustic speakers as well as a means for keeping valuables in a safe and dry location on the outside of the cooler. The cooler harness provides the means for a user to select the desirable pocket and panel needed for the picnic or outing.

Because the cooler harness is designed to support a wide range of objects and things that typically sit on top of a table, a table is not needed.

Varied pockets and panels can be attached to the cooler or to the cooler harness that range from waterproof to open stretchable mesh. Some pockets and panels are thermally insulated, have lighting diffusers and acoustically transparent pockets.

Typical objects stored in pockets and panels are drink bottles and cans, food, glasses, cooking condiments, plates, and utensils. Panels also have pockets for storage of valuables such as a wallet, watches, keys, sun glasses and the like.

Pockets are configured to attach to the cooler walls that provide a means for a tip-proof and wind-proof method of use.

Because the cooler harness and pockets can attach to the harness system by means of combinations of hook and loop fasteners, zippers, and buttons, the panel pockets are easy to remove for cleaning.

The panels can also be easily removed for storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the utilization of brackets 100 with integrated hooks 107 that attach directly to the side wall of a cooler 100 by means of adhesives and/or fasteners as is known in the art. Cooler 100 includes side wall 102. 104 depicts placement of adhesive or glue 104 is disposed on a rear face of bracket 106. The bracket 106 with adhesive 104 is then attached to on the cooler side wall 102 as shown at 108.

FIG. 2 is a perspective showing of the utilization of a harness 105 which is held to cooler wall 102 by the brackets 106. A buckle or cinch connector 112 removably attaches to a reciprocal buckle 114 used to securely hold the harness 105 tightly to the cooler. A gripping elastomer material 116 creates friction to hold the harness 105 to the cooler wall 102. The side 110 of the harness is one side of a hook and loop material that is used to attach panel pockets to the harness (FIG. 8). A bracket hook 120 removably attaches the harness to the cooler wall. The harness continues around the outer diameter of the cooler wall 102, as shown at 122.

FIG. 3 illustrates the utilization of corner gripping pad 124 to maintain the harness 105 in position around the cooler 100 by gripping all four corner walls of the cooler. Each corner gripping pad is made of a friction elastomer material through which the harness 105 is threaded. The corner gripping pads 124 provide friction for holding the harness 105 into position on all four corners of the outer cooler walls 102.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative to the use of brackets 106 and provides molded bracket hooks 128 directly in the side wall 102 of cooler 100. Hooks 128 are molded into the side wall 100 either by the original cooler manufacturing tooling or by a secondary overmolding process and additional tooling, as is known in the art.

FIG. 5 illustrates partial U-shaped receptacles 130 molded into the cooler wall 102. Receptacles 130 are designed for attaching brackets 132 to the outer side wall of the cooler 100. The brackets 132 are shown installed into the bracket receptacles 130. 134 illustrates the bracket 132 as it is to be placed into receptacle 130.

FIG. 6 illustrates the use of thin and durable hanging hooks 136 made of metals and/or plastics or combinations thereof. Hooks 136 are configured to attach to the upper edge (not shown) of the cooler 100 in the area of where the cooler lid 137 closes. The hanging hooks 136 can be used for attachment and hanging of the panel pockets (FIGS. 7A, B). Hanging hooks 136 are attached to the edge of cooler 100 just under the cooler lid 137. A hanging hook 136 prior to placement on the cooler is shown at 138.

FIGS. 7A and B are a perspective view of the front and back side of a panel pocket 139 used to hold a user's condiments, bottles and accessories. Each panel pocket has a wide area of one side of a hook and loop fastener material 146 located on the back side of the panel pocket 139. The panel pocket front pocket 140 is used for holding users accessories and objects, and is made of mesh or solid fabric pocket material. The back side fabric 144 of the panel pocket 139 is used to support hook and loop material 146 for attachment of the panel pocket 139 to the harness 105. Pocket panel 139 also includes a rim 141 for possible attachment to a bracket 128 (FIG. 8).

FIG. 8 is a perspective of the attachment method of the panel pocket 139 to the cooler harness 105 and side wall 102 of the cooler. Because the harness system is attached to the cooler walls 102 using hook and loop fasteners, zippers, and buttons, it is equally as easy to remove panel pockets 139 for cleaning and storage. 148 shows the panel pocket 139 attached to the harness 105 located on the cooler side walls 102. 150 shows a panel pocket 139 being prior to it attached by hook and loop fasteners to the harness located on the cooler sidewalls 102.

FIG. 9 is a depiction of an alternative method for attachment of the panel pocket 139 directly to the cooler sidewall brackets 106, without the use of a harness 105 and by means of hooks 107 and hanging hooks 136. 152 depicts an attachment of panels using integrated molded cooler wall hooks 107 and 154 shows attachment using hanging hooks 136 from the top rim of the cooler 100.

FIG. 10 is a depiction of a custom panel pocket 152 that can hold a light such as a lantern 160 or flashlight. The panel pocket 152 holds a light and provides for an even diffusion of light originating from the light housed from the inside of the panel pocket 152. Illustration 156 shows a panel pocket 152 with light diffuser panel 154 on the front side. Diffuser panel 159 can be a translucent plastic material. 158 shows the placement of the lantern 154 into the panel pocket 152 with diffuser front panel 159.

FIG. 11 is a depiction of a panel pocket 160 that is both acoustically transparent allowing sound to pass freely, and is constructed from a water proof and acoustically transparent membrane fabric 162 that allows sound to pass nearly unimpeded by the fabric 162. 166 depicts a typical Bluetooth® speaker and 164 show the placement of the speaker 166 into the acoustically transparent panel pocket 160.

FIG. 12 depicts an insulated panel pocket 168. Additional insulation 170 is applied on the lower side of the panel pocket 168. 172 shows a bottle 169 within the insulated panel pocket 158 with an additional protective insulated cover or flap 167.

FIG. 13 is a depiction of an independent free standing harness system 173 that does not physically attach to the cooler. One or more panel pockets 159 attach to the harness system 173 using the same method as the other harness system described previously. The independent harness system 173 is constructed in such a way so as to allow the user to place a complete cooler 100 into the center of the harness. The rigid harness 173 the covers the outer portions of the cooler walls 102. 176 shows panel pockets 139 attached to the cooler harness system in similar fashion to panel pocket harness attachment described previously. A fully adjustable shoulder strap 178 is connected to the harness 173 providing a means to lift the entire cooler. Dual handle loops 180 are also provided for picking up the entire cooler.

FIG. 14 is a depiction of a user carrying the independent harness system 173 with a cooler 100 inserted into the system. 182 shows the cooler 100 within the harness system 173. 184 shows panel pockets 139 attached and loaded with utensils and condiments and food. Adjustable shoulder strap system 186 providing a means to easily carry the cooler and panel pocket contents.

FIG. 15 is a depiction of a complete assembly of a plurality of panel pockets 139 attached to the harness 105 mounted on cooler 100.

FIG. 16 is a depiction of a complete assembly of the panel pockets 139 attached to the harness (not shown) on a cooler 100 with the panel pockets 139 filled with condiments, utensils, bottles and food. 

We claim:
 1. A harness system for carrying storage panels and pocket panels on a cooler, comprising; a. a flexible harness having a first longitudinal surface comprising one portion of a hook and loop fastener; b. at least one bracket configured to be mounted adjacent to the at least one sidewall of the cooler, the at least one brackets supporting the flexible harness when the flexible harness is removably mounted on the at least one bracket, with said first longitudinal surface of said flexible harness facing away from said cooler sidewalls; c. at least one pocket panel having one of a second surface including a second portion of a hook and loop fastener and a rim configured to receive a bracket, the bracket configured to be attached to the cooler.
 2. The harness system of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of corner gripping pads slidably attached to the flexible harness, each of said plurality of corner gripping pads movable along the longitudinal surface and adapted to extend between said flexible harness and corners of the cooler when the flexible harness extends around the cooler.
 3. The harness system of claim 1, wherein: the brackets supporting the flexible harness have a first top portion configured to extend over an upper rim of the cooler; and a second bottom portion configured to support a panel pocket adjacent the cooler.
 4. The harness system of claim 1, wherein: said at least one pocket panel having a back side surface, said second portion of said hook and loop fastener formed on said back side surface; said rim extending above the back side surface; and a front pocket formed on a front surface of the packet panel.
 5. The harness system of claim 4, wherein: the front pocket is formed from one of mesh fabric and solid fabric material.
 6. The harness system of claim 4, wherein: the front pocket has an outer surface comprised of a light diffuser material.
 7. The harness system of claim 4, wherein: the front pocket has an outer surface comprised of one of an acoustically transparent and a waterproof membrane material.
 8. The harness system of claim 4, wherein: the panel pocket includes insulation on the inner surfaces of the panel pocket.
 9. A harness system for carrying a cooler, comprising: a flexible fabric body having an open top, a bottom surface, and a plurality of sidewall surfaces, the surfaces providing a chamber configured to receive the cooler; the plurality of sidewalls having a plurality of panel pockets removably attached to the sidewalls, each panel pocket configured to hold items; the flexible fabric body including at least one of a shoulder strap and dual handle loops. 